Endless talk of all things sparkly.

Antique & Vintage Jewelry

Trend Spotting: Lucky Horse Shoe Jewels

I'm not sure if it is the abundance of horses and farms here in Nashville, or spotting a few celebrities wearing horse shoe jewelry--but I am loving this motif.  Horse shoes actually have been around for many years, as they are seen in many pieces of antique jewelry (a few great examples are below).  Theories of where the "good luck" folklore originated date back to the year 959 AD!  Whether you believe it to be good luck or not, one thing is for sure--if you are a jewelry lover you need a piece in your collection which features this timeless motif. A great pair of horse shoe earrings that feature diamonds from Ross-Simons. They are done in 14k white gold and would look good alone or with other earrings if you have multiple piercings. I like how the description says "good luck will be galloping your way." Price: $206 Such a bold ring that could be anyone's statement piece. The horse shoe features rubies and diamonds done in 18k yellow gold. This ring dates back to the Edwardian Era and is priced at $1550, from Israel Rose. Excalibur Jewelry has some amazing finds featured on 1stdibs. This horse shoe brooch is no different, all done in platinum and 18k gold with sapphires and diamonds. I think it is funny that the brooch features 13 sapphires, which make up the "lucky" horse shoe. Price: $1950 If you want a small token of this trend, this pearl charm is just for you. It is from C.H.A.R.M. and is done in 14k yellow gold. This can easily be interchangeable on a necklace or bracelet, and is small enough to add to and layer with. Price: $200 Read More

Antique & Vintage Jewelry

Treasure Trove Spotlight on Erie Basin

Love this photo!, Erie Basin If you can't hop on over to Brooklyn, NYC anytime soon, the world wide web pulls through yet again bringing you Erie Basin's hand-picked jewels on your computer. I love how the selection is always changing--an aspect you don't often see with other antique shops' online items. New arrivals are broadcasted live through twitter feeds, making it feel as if you've just arrived from a flea market in France with a find of a lifetime. I know I am always clicking to check out the latest, because the selection is always unique and fresh. If you want to as well, check out Erie Basin for yourself! 1920s White Gold Bloodstone Signet, 1890s Opal Band, 1880s Pyrite Ring, 1910s 1.7ct Diamond Ring Read More

Antique & Vintage Jewelry

Spotted: Scare-Chic

Sometimes it's hard to resist something that is so ugly, it's cute. Do you know what I mean? Like that "World's Ugliest Dog" contest?! A lot of people have a soft spot in their heart for ugly/creepy things. Some examples include your creepy pet spider, your first boyfriend in Middle School, and your best friend's newborn. Some sparkly examples...these jewels: Lori Leavitt always has some inspiring jewelry, this vintage ring is no exception. Although said to be a Lion, I feel it's more of a Lion/Dragon combination: a Ligon? Either way, it is sort of scary, yet I kind of want one. Let it be known that it is a one of a kind piece, 10k yellow gold with a diamond in the mouth. Price: $1250 These pearl skull charms are very much unlike the trendy skull jewelry often seen on gothic teenagers. These are creepily cute, designed around the natural shape of each pearl. Check out Belmacz for more info. (Can be found under >Current Collection >Charms.) Solange Azagury-Partridge has a heck of a talent, she is always creating jewelry that surprises even jaded jewelry collectors. Here we have a crocodile skull ring, that opens and shuts, revealing a ruby. As you can see, you can have this piece customized with or without diamonds. If I ever want to buy a pearl ring, this is going to be it! Solange Azagury-Partridge does it again with these clawed pearl rings. I like the addition of the enameling, to really accentuate the effect of a claw. Which do you prefer, the gray or white pearl? Read More

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Antique & Vintage Jewelry

Happy Birthday America :: 233 years old

Happy 4th of July!  2009 marks the United States of America, 233 years! Patriotic brooch from Lang Antiques, "V for Victory!" A truly retro era piece of jewelry, outfitted with rubies, diamonds and sapphires. It is done in 14k yellow and rose gold--very unique. I love the half-moon cut diamond at the top. Price: $2950. Read More

Antique & Vintage Jewelry

Jewelry Lookbook: Coral Ring, Pearl Bracelet & Woven Gold Bracelets

Starred shorts, denim button-up, black socks with open-toe heels: it sounds so wrong, but it look so right. And the jewelry combination is just as interesting. An angel skin coral ring, woven gold bracelets, and a three-strand pearl bracelet--check out this look below! All look-alike pieces are vintage and were found at Beladora 2. This three-strand pearl bracelet has 14k white gold bars to keep the pearls tame, and I love the white gold filigree clasp. It is 7.5 inches long and is circa 2005, so only a few years old! Price: $695 from Beladora2. This coral ring is classic and simple. Known as "angel skin" coral when portraying this light peach color, rather than the other, darker versions coral can be found as. This ring, circa 1965, is done in 18k yellow gold and is a size 6. Price: $316 from Beladora2. Although difficult to tell exactly what the stack of bracelets look like worn on the left wrist, I believe some are woven gold. I love this example from Beladora2. It is from the 1970s and is done in 14k yellow gold. The thickness of the piece makes it beautiful. Price: $1450 A circular link bracelet is also stacked on the left wrist, this one is also from the seventies and done in 14k yellow gold. The clasp is actually disguised as a link, which shows great craftsmanship. From Beladora2 and priced at $1125. Read More

Antique & Vintage Jewelry

Interesting Idea for Stick Pins

I came across an interesting idea while browsing jewelry news, that I just loved. If you are a jewelry collector, more specifically a stick pin collector, you will love this idea! A woman from the Palm Beach area has collected stick pins over the years, and decided to have them all fashioned onto a solid gold cuff. This was done by assembling the heads of the stick pins, as you can see in the accompanying photo. Such a great idea and an even better way to get use out of her entire collection. She probably gets so many positive and inquiring comments. That bracelet is sure to be treasured for years to come. Her collection consists of a platinum and diamond violin, an emerald encrusted pet, a pearl and turquoise tennis racket, gold golf club and many more...a total of 50. Story courtesy of Firstwater News. Read More